FreedomWorks - School Vouchershttp://www.freedomworks.org/fieldtags/school-vouchers
enFormer Anti-Voucher Advocate Now Advocates For Vouchers and School Choice http://www.freedomworks.org/content/former-anti-voucher-advocate-now-advocates-vouchers-and-school-choice
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>There is a lot of misinformation about school choice, and sometimes even wise and well intentioned people are misled. &nbsp;As school choice success stories begin to go mainstream though, more people are championing the ideas of empowering students and parents. Just ask Ann Duplessis, former anti-voucher advocate who is now at the forefront of a group fighting <em>for</em> vouchers.&nbsp;</p> <p>School vouchers are based on the idea that money allotted for a child’s education should follow the child. &nbsp;In states where voucher programs are allowed, a parent can choose a private school over a failing state school, and the government will issue them a voucher to apply toward the cost of tuition. This is money which would have been spent on the child for a traditional public school and is merely being shifted to another school. As the daughter of public school teachers, lifelong Democrat Duplessis saw these vouchers as taking dollars away from a system that needed the money, and fought against them.&nbsp;</p> <p>Duplessis used to be vehemently anti-voucher, even working to ensure that one of the first voucher bills in Louisiana failed when she served in the state senate. Unfortunately it took a tragic incident to change her perspective. In 1981, Duplessis' father was robbed and murdered. “And this is in the middle of the day, and they should have been in school,” <a href="http://theadvocate.com/news/7564929-123/former-voucher-foe-heads-pro-voucher">she</a> said, “I really strongly believe that had those two young men been given other choices and wanted to be in school, my dad would perhaps be alive today.”</p> <p>She decided to learn more about vouchers. “I had to educate myself,” she <a href="http://theadvocate.com/news/7564929-123/former-voucher-foe-heads-pro-voucher">said</a>. “And as I did I began to see the deplorable conditions of a lot of these schools.” Her interest in voucher programs grew, and she now heads up the <a href="http://louisiana4children.org/">Louisiana Federation for Children</a>, which fights <em>for</em> vouchers. It’s a big fight, and she recently found herself up against United States Attorney General, Eric Holder when he tried to get an injunction against Louisiana’s program. “It’s political. It’s unfortunate. It’s wrong,” said Duplessis, “I have three girls and three grandchildren. I couldn’t bear the thought of them being in an environment that I didn’t know if they were going to come home that evening.”&nbsp;</p> <p>She doesn’t see this as a racial issue, either, as Holder has argued. “We’re at a state in history now, I find it offensive the idea that because you’re in an all black school it’s not as good,” she <a href="http://freebeacon.com/holders-victims/">said</a>. “To me, that is so offensive. I would hope the DOJ would look at desegregating kids out of bad schools.” The bottom line is that school vouchers <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703396404576283381160558552">work</a>. Anyone who puts children ahead of the union and government stronghold on the educational system would have to agree. Let’s hope that more anti-choice advocates will, like Duplessis, research the options and put kids first.&nbsp;</p></div></div></div>Tue, 26 Nov 2013 18:32:23 +0000AmeliaHamilton58114 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/former-anti-voucher-advocate-now-advocates-vouchers-and-school-choice#commentsNew Study Shows That Moms Are Supportive Of School Choicehttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/new-study-shows-moms-are-supportive-school-choice
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Our K-12 education system is a monopoly, and like any other monopoly, the customer (child) suffers from lack of choice and competition. &nbsp;Our children are being held captive in a failing system where markets are not allowed to work.&nbsp;As it turns out, parents, especially moms, know that the key to improving our education system is to allow for market forces to drive innovation and create an enviroment that responds to the needs of children, instead of just propping up the status quo.</p><p>In a study just released by the <a href="http://www.edchoice.org/">Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice</a>, mothers of school-aged children were asked about education nationwide, education in their communities, and the issue of school choice. The study, <a href="http://www.edchoice.org/Documents/Research/2013/Schooling-in-America-Survey/Schooling-in-America-Survey.aspx"><em>Schooling in America</em></a>, provided some great insight into feelings on traditional education in America, and what they would like to see change.&nbsp;</p> <p>One key <a href="http://www.edchoice.org/Newsroom/News/Mothers-Show-Strong-Support-for-School-Choice-in-National-Survey.aspx">finding</a> is that mothers have more confidence in private schools than in traditional public schools, which is probably why 66% support vouchers and 69% support tax credits for their children to get the best education available. Around the country, about 255,000 students are using vouchers and tax-credits this year. Why are so many mothers seeking other options? Because, as the <a href="http://www.edchoice.org/Documents/Research/2013/Schooling-in-America-Survey/Schooling-in-America-Survey--Moms-Charts.aspx">survey</a> showed, 79% of mothers surveyed gave the federal government’s involvement in education a “fair” or “poor,” while 61% believe that education has “gotten off on the wrong track.”&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s not simply a matter of “the grass is always greener” for these moms, either. Those who have their children in private schools find that their children are receiving much better educations. 56% of mothers gave their private schools an A or B grade, compared to only 43% for public schools. This is down from 62% only a year ago. As education reform and school choice becomes more mainstream, parents are beginning to realize that they have options, and as they research an seek those out also find that some are better for their children.&nbsp;</p> <p>Perhaps that’s why most respondents agreed that vouchers should be available to all children regardless of income. “When a school doesn’t work for a child, the public believes that child should have choices, including private schools—no matter what his parents’ income,” said Robert Enlow, President and CEO of the Friedman Foundation.&nbsp;Isn’t that what America is about- equal opportunity for all? America’s mothers certainly seem to think so- and we agree!</p></div></div></div>Thu, 09 May 2013 21:41:39 +0000AmeliaHamilton57322 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/new-study-shows-moms-are-supportive-school-choice#commentsVictory for School Choice in Indiana's Supreme Courthttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/victory-school-choice-indianas-supreme-court
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Today, the Indiana Supreme Court made an important <a href="http://www.in.gov/judiciary/opinions/pdf/03261301bd.pdf">decision</a> for families in that state by unanimously upholding their school voucher law. “Finding that the challengers have not satisfied the high burden required to invalidate a statute on constitutional grounds, we affirm the trial court’s judgment upholding the constitutionality of the statutory voucher program,” the court wrote.</p> <p>The teachers union-supported lawsuit argued that the law was unconstitutional as it caused public funds to end up in religious institutions, but the justices understood that the law benefited families first. Any benefits to these other organizations was simply incidental and, therefore, not in violation of the state Constitution.&nbsp;</p> <p>"It's the end of the constitutional debate," <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/26/indiana-school-voucher-ruling/2021021/">said</a> Robert Enlow, president and chief executive of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice. "Anyone who says it is not legal in the state of Indiana no longer has a leg to stand on." Senior Attorney Bert Gall of the Institute for Justice <a href="http://fox59.com/2013/03/26/indiana-supreme-court-upholds-states-school-voucher-program/%23ixzz2Ofj2k8r4">said</a> that “The teachers’ unions tried to prevent parents from using Choice Scholarships to secure a quality education for their children, but the unions failed.” Governor Mike Pence released a statement <a href="http://fox59.com/2013/03/26/indiana-supreme-court-upholds-states-school-voucher-program/%23ixzz2OfjEK5JV">saying</a>, in part, </p><blockquote><p>“I welcome the Indiana Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Indiana’s school choice program. I have long believed that parents should be able to choose where their children go to school, regardless of their income. Now that the Indiana Supreme Court has unanimously upheld this important program, we must continue to find ways to expand educational opportunities for all Indiana families.”</p></blockquote><p>One of the reasons that this case is such a pivotal step forward for school choice is that Indiana’s school voucher program has wider eligibility than most states offer. Normally, these programs are limited to students in low income families, failing schools, or specific geographical areas within the state. In Indiana, however, middle-class families may also participate to safeguard a better education for their children.&nbsp;</p> <p>The program, which is in its second year, is making great headway in Indiana as the fastest growing such program in history. <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/26/indiana-school-voucher-ruling/2021021/">Last</a> year, 3,919 students received school vouchers. This year, that number has nearly tripled to 9,324, and is poised to expand even further in the years to come. Thankfully, the Indiana Supreme Court has protected the right for families to choose the best education for their children.&nbsp;</p></div></div></div>Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:45:55 +0000AmeliaHamilton57174 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/victory-school-choice-indianas-supreme-court#commentsA New Hope for Arizona Kidshttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/new-hope-arizona-kids
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Kasey Locke is a bright, beautiful six-year-old girl. But she faces challenges most kids never will. At age three, Kasey was diagnosed with autism.</p><p>￼When she started kindergarten at her Phoenix, Ariz., public school, Kasey’s parents worked with school officials to incorporate a new learning method that worked well for her. When the school didn’t apply these methods, her parents continued to tutor her after school.</p><p>Then Arizona created a revolutionary new school choice option called <a href="http://www.azed.gov/esa/" target="_blank">Empowerment Scholarship Accounts</a>. Now, a portion of Kasey’s state education funding is deposited into a private account. Her parents can use that money to pay for school tuition, online classes, tutoring, books, and other expenses. Any leftover money can even be saved for college.</p><p>Finally, Kasey’s parents can tailor her education to her specific needs. Arizona taxpayers also benefit because the accounts cost less than it would to send her to traditional public schools.</p><p>"It was almost too good to be true,” according to her father, Jeff. Kasey now attends a private school that has changed her educational life. Her communication skills have improved and she’s much less frustrated. “She likes to go to school. She’s a lot happier in the morning. On the car ride [to school] she is more excited,” her dad says.</p><p>Kasey visited her speech therapist a few months after switching schools. Her therapist was amazed with her progress, saying she “was a lot calmer and followed directions better.”</p><p>Empowerment Scholarship Accounts were initially available to special needs kids only. But after their broad success, Arizona expanded the program to include military families, kids at failing schools, and adoptive and foster children.</p><p>The state’s education unions are trying to shut down the program through legal action. In the past, other programs were shot down because they were viewed as the government giving money directly to private schools (some of them religious). Empowerment Scholarship Accounts are different since the parents are the ones making the choice.&nbsp;</p><p>Last year an Arizona trial court ruled Empowerment Scholarship Accounts <a href="http://goldwaterinstitute.org/sites/default/files/m5077507.pdf" target="_blank">constitutional</a> and now the state Court of Appeals is hearing the case. Although it could go all the way to the state’s highest court, school choice activists are very optimistic. And if it succeeds in Arizona, they expect it to quickly spread across the nation.</p><p>Hopefully for Kasey and other students, school choice innovation and better education options will prevail over the failed status quo.</p><p><em>Follow Jon on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/ExJon" target="_blank">@ExJon</a>.</em></p></div></div></div>Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:01:15 +0000joncgabriel56025 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/new-hope-arizona-kids#commentsSchool Choice Works- In Many Different Formshttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/school-choice-works-many-different-forms
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>There has been a lot in the news lately about school choice, but those words, "school choice" can mean many different things. Let’s take a look at some of the different forms school choice can take, and how they have worked for American children.</p> <p>Charter schools are schools which are privately run utilizing public funding. These schools are run by parents, educators, and charter school companies. The best part of charter schools is quite simple- they work. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Education announced the winners of their highest award; the 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award. The <a href="http://www.streetinsider.com/Press+Releases/Bronx+Charter+School+for+Excellence+(BCSE)+Wins+Prestigious+National+Blue+Ribbon+Schools+Award/7715696.html">Bronx Charter School</a> for Excellence was one of the schools selected for that honor. The school was once in danger of failing by federal standards, and has turned around to be the top charter school in New York City. The fact that 77% of BCSE’s student body qualifies for free or reduced lunch, doesn't hinder their success, instead it proves that a child from any background can get a great education with the right school options. &nbsp;</p> <p>Another option to provide school choice for children in failing districts is open enrollment. Open enrollment differs from state to state, so it is not consistent across the country, but the common thread is that open enrollment allows parents to choose to send their children to a different public school. Sometimes this means another school within the same district (intradistrict), sometimes parents are allowed to choose a school in another district (interdistrict). <a href="http://wallstreetpit.com/96237-charter-schools-and-vouchers-getting-results/">Studies</a> have shown that the children of parents who have taken advantage of this option have higher test scores and few disciplinary incidents. &nbsp; In 2011, Oregon legislators approved an <a href="http://cascadepolicy.org/news/2012/02/15/what-does-oregons-new-open-enrollment-law-mean-for-your-child/">open enrollment bill</a> allowing for parents to transfer their student to any school which had openings. &nbsp;Many parents are already taking advantage of this option as large <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2012/02/clackamas_county_districts_spl.html" target="_blank">numbers of openings</a> become available.&nbsp;</p> <p>Finally, let’s look at school vouchers. A school voucher is a certificate issued by the government which parents can then “spend” at a private school or on homeschooling. <a href="http://wallstreetpit.com/96237-charter-schools-and-vouchers-getting-results/">Vouchers</a> are giving a much-needed boost to <a href="http://madisoncourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=178&amp;SubSectionID=961&amp;ArticleID=72306">private</a> and <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/06/09/catholic-schools-in-some-cities-show-signs-life-helped-by-voucher-program/">parochial</a> schools hit by the recession. low-income families who take advantage of vouchers have also <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/vouchers/choice/provouchers.html">reported</a> that “the discipline is much better. There is less fighting. There’s less cheating. There’s less racial conflict. There’s more tolerance for children from other backgrounds.”&nbsp;</p> <p>All of these methods, and other forms of school choice, foster competition and a free market for education can only be good for students. A local public school district should not have a monopoly on education for those who cannot afford public schooling, and school choice is the best way to level the playing field.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div></div></div>Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:06:25 +0000AmeliaHamilton55621 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/school-choice-works-many-different-forms#commentsPODCAST: FreedomWorks will release important report on 7/1http://www.freedomworks.org/content/podcast-freedomworks-will-release-important-report-71
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.freedomworks.org/podcasts/SchoolChoicePodcast61011.mp3">Click to listen!</a></h2>
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<p>We're still full steam ahead on the ground in Pennsylvania to support the passage of SB 1. We're coming to an important milestone, and are strongly encouraging a Senate vote by June 30th.</p>
<p>On July 1st, if there is no vote we'll turn up the heat by releasing a report on which representatives received money from the PSEA. The money given to legislators by the unions can influence their vote and discourage their support of this important legislation. Pennsylvania's kids deserve better than that, and the power should no longer lie in the hands of the unions.</p>
<p>Click to listen to my conversation with our own David Spielman on the important of this bill, and the importance of not allowing legislators to pass the buck anymore.</p>
<h2 style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; color: #646464; margin-bottom: 0.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.freedomworks.org/podcasts/SchoolChoicePodcast61011.mp3" style="color: #49769a; text-decoration: none;">Click to listen!</a></h2>
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</div></div></div>Fri, 10 Jun 2011 19:30:29 +0000thale54859 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/podcast-freedomworks-will-release-important-report-71#comments